Because Digital Writing Matters

NWP's newest book, Because Digital Writing Matters, examines what teachers, administrators, and parents can do to help schools meet the challenges of digital writing and to equip students with the technology-related communication skills they need to thrive in our information-rich, high-speed, high-tech culture.

The book offers practical solutions and models for educators and policymakers involved in planning, implementing, and assessing digital writing initiatives and writing programs.

Because Digital Writing Matters examines such questions as:

What is digital writing?

What happens in an effective digital writing classroom?

How does digital writing support learning across disciplines?

What are fair ways to assess digital writing?

How can schools create effective programs to prepare teachers and students to succeed in our digital, interconnected world?

The book makes the case that digital writing is a complex activity, more than just a skill. It is a means of interfacing with ideas and with the world, and a mode of thinking and expressing in all grades and disciplines.

It aims to prove that digital writing matters and to provide a roadmap for teachers and administrators who are implementing digital writing initiatives in their classrooms, schools, and communities.

What people are saying about Because Digital Writing Matters:

"Coming not a moment too soon, Because Digital Writing Matters is required reading for every educator and concerned citizen in our society. An in-depth introduction to teaching and learning—not just the teaching and learning of writing—Because Digital Writing Matters speaks meaningfully, purposefully, and knowledgeably as it describes the Web 2.0 landscape in which 21st century students must learn, read, write, and think critically as they prepare themselves to live and work in the near future."

—Patricia Lambert StockProfessor Emerita, Michigan State UniversityVisiting Professor, The University of Maryland-College Park

"Great book—timely, comprehensive, and rich with classroom examples to help teachers envision and create digital environments for writing and learning."

—Anne Herrington Director, Western Massachusetts Writing ProjectProfessor of English, University of Massachusetts AmherstCo-Editor, Teaching the New Writing

"From how to arrange the physical space in a digital writing classroom to how to craft an acceptable use policy, this book provides it all for the teacher who is interested in transforming the writing classroom in these new times."

—William KistAuthor, The Socially Networked Classroom

"Because Digital Writing Matters is full of the rich, well-positioned, and innovative thinking and pedagogies that teachers and researchers need as we navigate both the changing landscape of digital writing spaces and the multiple literacies that those spaces open and require. We are welcomed in these pages to learn together as colleagues, to learn alongside our students, and to transform writing and learning in our schools."